Patentshttp://www.maclife.com/taxonomy/term/365/all
enApple Daily: New Features Coming to Apple Maps, Big Gains for Apple Pay, & Morehttp://www.maclife.com/article/news/apple-daily-will-smith-movie-edited-in-final-cut-pro-x-new-features-for-apple-maps-big-gains-for-apple_pay
<!--paging_filter--><p>Our Wednesday Apple Daily finds Final Cut Pro X making a comeback with the new Will Smith movie, and more than a million Chase cardholders signing up for Apple Pay. On the downside, Apple may lose half a billion dollars to a patent dispute over iTunes. Read on for all the details!</p><h3>Apple Focuses on Will Smith Feature Edited with Final Cut Pro X</h3><p>In the four years since Apple launched Final Cut Pro X, the reaction has mostly been negative. The $299 pro video-editing software has made headlines for the number of customers jumping ship to competitors like Adobe Premiere Pro, while Apple toiled away in the background refining the application.</p><p><img src="/files/u324771/focus.png" /></p><p><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">The silence from Cupertino ended today, with Apple launching a new "Final Cut Pro in Action" page on its website detailing how an upcoming Warner Bros. film starring Will Smith was edited entirely in 2K ProRes 4444 format — the first major studio release edited with Final Cut Pro X.</span></span></p><p>“We got exactly the film we set out to make,” remarked John Requa, who co-directed <em>Focus</em> with Glenn Ficarra. “What I love about Final Cut Pro X is that it allowed me to be involved with, and in control of, every aspect of making our film.”</p><p><a href="https://www.apple.com/final-cut-pro/in-action/focus/" target="_blank">Check out the Apple website</a> for the complete story of how <em>Focus</em> came to be.</p><h3>GasBuddy, GreatSchools Appear as New Apple Maps Data Sources</h3><p><a href="http://www.macrumors.com/2015/02/25/apple-maps-partners-greatschools-gasbuddy/" target="_blank">MacRumors today reported</a>&nbsp;that Apple has quietly added acknowledgements to both GasBuddy and GreatSchools in the built-in Maps app, suggesting iOS and Mac users may soon see gas prices, station locations, and school data populate search results.</p><p><img src="/files/u324771/apple_maps_0.png" width="620" height="300" /></p><p>A third service, Yext, is also new to Apple Maps, although that partnership was announced prior to turning up on the acknowledgments screen. Described as a service which "allows businesses to update their locations for multiple online sites at one time," Yext joins The National Land Survey of Finland Topographic Database as a new data source.</p><h3>Apple Ordered to Pay $532.9M in iTunes Patent Dispute</h3><p><a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-02-25/apple-told-by-jury-to-pay-532-9-million-in-gaming-patent-trial" target="_blank">Bloomberg reported Wednesday</a> that a federal jury has awarded Texas-based Smartflash LLC the sum of $532.9 million in a lawsuit alleging that Apple's iTunes software infringed upon three of the company's patents. Smartflash originally sought $852 million in damages, an amount Apple's lawyers attempted to reduce to a mere $4.5 million.</p><p><img src="/files/u220903/coin_dozer_app_620px.png" alt="Coin Dozer" width="620" height="300" /></p><p>The patents in question are described as covering "digital rights management and inventions related to data storage and managing access through payment systems," with third-party apps Coin Dozer and 4 Pics 1 Movie specifically cited as infringing upon Smartfish intellectual property. At least one of those developers, Game Circus LLC, was dismissed as a defendant last year. Apple plans to appeal the decision.</p><h3>Chase Confirms Over 1M Customers Have Set Up Apple Pay</h3><p><a href="http://appleinsider.com/articles/15/02/24/chase-announces-over-1m-wallets-provisioned-on-apple-pay" target="_blank">AppleInsider reported Tuesday</a> that JP Morgan Chase has hit an impressive milestone with more than one million customers having activated credit or debit cards with Apple Pay, the mobile wallet service introduced with iOS 8.1 last fall. The news was announced during the company's 2015 Investor Day yesterday, and serves as more good news for iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus.</p><p><img src="/files/u220903/apple_pay_chase_visa_620px.png" alt="Apple Pay Chase card" width="620" height="300" /></p><p>"We were an early participant of Apple Pay," said Eileen Serra, CEO of Chase Card Services. "We do continue to see good growth in the number of consumers that are provisioning Chase cards in their Apple Pay wallet."</p><p>Chase described Apple Pay customers as "younger with higher incomes," with 69 percent of card transactions coming from credit cards, with debit cards making up the remaining 31 percent.</p><p><em>Follow this article’s author, <a href="http://www.twitter.com/JRBTempe" target="_blank">J.R. Bookwalter on Twitter</a></em></p>http://www.maclife.com/article/news/apple-daily-will-smith-movie-edited-in-final-cut-pro-x-new-features-for-apple-maps-big-gains-for-apple_pay#commentsNewsapple dailyApple Mapsapple newsApple PayChasedata sourcesFinal Cut Pro XGasBuddyHollywoodiTunesPatentsiPhoneMacThu, 26 Feb 2015 00:55:32 +0000J.R. Bookwalter21340 at http://www.maclife.comMorning Report: Chinese Apple Ban, Patent Detente with Samsung Outside USAhttp://www.maclife.com/article/news/morning_report_chinese_apple_ban_patent_detente_samsung_outside_usa
<!--paging_filter--><p><img src="/files/u220903/china_iphone_threat_620px.png" alt="China iPhone threat" width="620" height="300" /></p><p>Could Apple's "thermonuclear war" against Samsung finally be showing signs of cooling down? While the two smartphone giants apparently aren't ceding any patent ground in the lucrative U.S. market, there appears to finally be some peace in the rest of the world, except in China, where Cupertino now faces a setback with the government. It's all in today's Morning Report!</p><h3>Apple Products No Longer Welcome in Chinese Government</h3><p><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/08/06/us-china-apple-idUSKBN0G60JQ20140806" target="_blank">Reuters today reported</a> that China is now prohibiting government agencies from purchasing 10 Apple products, citing unspecified "security concerns." According to unnamed government officials, Apple's popular MacBook and iPad are among the products now omitted from a government procurement list circulated by China's National Development and Reform Commission and Ministry of Finance, which also recently banned antivirus software from non-Chinese companies such as Kaspersky Lab and Symantec.<br /><br />The report appears to point the finger at Edward Snowden's exposure of U.S. government spying as a key reason China has increasingly turned its back on American technology products. In June, state-run China Central Television claimed the location tracking software used on Apple's iPhones had the potential for leaking government secrets, which Cupertino has vehemently denied.</p><h3>Apple, Samsung Lay Down Arms in Non-U.S. Patent Suits</h3><p><a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-08-05/apple-samsung-agree-to-end-patent-suits-outside-u-s-.html" target="_blank">Bloomberg delivered an after-hours bombshell Tuesday</a> with word that Apple and Samsung have decided to abandon all patent suits between the tech giants — with one big exception. “Apple and Samsung have agreed to drop all litigation between the two companies outside the United States,” the companies said in a joint statement. “This agreement does not involve any licensing arrangements, and the companies are continuing to pursue the existing cases in U.S. courts.”<br /><br />Although the U.S. remains unaffected, the companies have dropped the matter in Australia, Japan, Germany, the Netherlands, the U.K., France, Italy, and Samsung's home turf, South Korea. The announcement does not include any sort of cross-licensing agreement for patents, and doesn't seem likely to leave Apple or Samsung drawing any less blood from each other in U.S. courtrooms.</p><h3>Sprint Gives Up on Plans to Acquire T-Mobile US</h3><p><a href="http://online.wsj.com/articles/sprint-abandoning-pursuit-of-t-mobile-1407279448" target="_blank"><em>The Wall Street Journal</em> reported Tuesday</a> that third-placed U.S. carrier Sprint has called it quits on plans to acquire fourth-placed T-Mobile US, and Japanese parent company SoftBank now appears willing to go it alone. However, the abandoned deal may have one casualty: Sprint CEO Dan Hesse, who is rumored to be replaced as early as today by Marcelo Claure, described as a "billionaire entrepreneur" with no former experience at running a wireless carrier.<br /><br /><em>Follow this article’s author, <a href="https://twitter.com/JRBTempe" target="_blank">J.R. Bookwalter on Twitter</a></em></p>http://www.maclife.com/article/news/morning_report_chinese_apple_ban_patent_detente_samsung_outside_usa#commentsNewsacquisitionsApple v. SamsungBannedChinaGovernmentMorning ReportPatentsSamsungsmartphonesSprintT-Mobile USiPadiPhoneMacWed, 06 Aug 2014 12:28:03 +0000J.R. Bookwalter20433 at http://www.maclife.comApple Secures Patent Filed in 2011 for 'iTime' Smartwatchhttp://www.maclife.com/article/news/apple_secures_patent_filed_2011_itime_smartwatch
<!--paging_filter--><p>Today Apple<a href="http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&amp;Sect2=HITOFF&amp;u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-adv.htm&amp;r=1&amp;p=1&amp;f=G&amp;l=50&amp;d=PTXT&amp;S1=(361%2F679.03.CCLS.+AND+20140722.PD.)&amp;OS=ccl/361/679.03+and+isd/7/22/2014&amp;RS=(CCL/361/679.03+AND+ISD/20140722)" target="_blank"> secured a patent</a> for a smartwatch from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (No. 8,787,006), providing some of the first direct evidence that the company is, in fact, working on a piece of wearable tech for the wrist. Here's the thing, though—the patent filing dates all the way back to 2011, meaning that whatever Apple announces in the coming months (if they do) might not look anything like what we see on the paper.</p><p>Indeed, at this point, the concept described seems rather old fashioned. Rather than an integrated device, the filing describes a unit with sensors to be worn on the wrist that can be fitted with various peripherals. That's only found in the details, though. The basic wording is so vague that the patent could likely be interpreted as applying to smartwatches in general.</p><p><img src="/files/u334114/2014/07/iwatchpatent.jpg" /></p><p>Some of the language, for instance, reads as follows: "As an electronic wristband to be worn on a wrist of a user, another embodiment of the invention can, for example, include at least a central portion and at least one band portion. The central portion can include a touch screen display, control circuitry and a battery. The touch screen display can be configured to present visual information to the user and to receive user input from the user. The control circuitry can be configured to control operation of the electronic watchband, and the battery can be configured to provide power to the electronic wristband."</p><p>And so forth. You can read the entire lengthy document <a href="http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&amp;Sect2=HITOFF&amp;u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-adv.htm&amp;r=1&amp;p=1&amp;f=G&amp;l=50&amp;d=PTXT&amp;S1=(361%2F679.03.CCLS.+AND+20140722.PD.)&amp;OS=ccl/361/679.03+and+isd/7/22/2014&amp;RS=(CCL/361/679.03+AND+ISD/20140722)" target="_blank">here </a>if you have around 15 minutes to spare. It also describes gesture-based controls in place on the swipes and taps we know so well from iOS, and it already includes information about the health and fitness sensors that have been a staple of iWatch rumors almost from the beginning. And how about that name? The patent filing calls the device "iTime," which seems like a more elegant styling for such a device than the more prosaic "iWatch."</p><p>Be sure to check out<a href="http://www.maclife.com/article/gallery/iwatch-features-rumors-leak-price-release-date" target="_blank"> our roundup</a> of existing iWatch rumors here.</p><p><em>Follow this article's writer, <a href="https://twitter.com/LeifJohnson" target="_blank">Leif Johnson</a>, on Twitter.</em></p>http://www.maclife.com/article/news/apple_secures_patent_filed_2011_itime_smartwatch#commentsNewsappleiTimeiWatchPatentsRumorsspeculationtrademarksTue, 22 Jul 2014 23:24:39 +0000Leif Johnson20358 at http://www.maclife.comApple, Google End Patent Battle, Potential Detente with Samsung Next?http://www.maclife.com/article/news/apple_google_end_patent_battle_potential_detente_samsung_next
<!--paging_filter--><p><img src="/files/u220903/jobs_v_schmidt_sketch_620px.png" alt="Jobs vs. Schmdit sketch" width="620" height="300" /></p><p>Apple and Google waited until the stock market was closed for the week to announce a formal end to its longtime patent battles — a move that could potentially pave the way for settling the feud between Apple and the search giant's partner Samsung as well.<br /><a href="http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304908304579566583336822024?mod=WSJ_TechWSJD_NeedToKnow" target="_blank"><em><br />The Wall Street Journal</em> reported Friday</a> that Apple and Google have mutually agreed to drop all existing patent lawsuits between the two tech giants in a deal that also wipes the slate clean for litigation dating back to 2010 between Cupertino and Motorola.<br /><br />Prior to the pre-weekend announcement, Apple and Google had managed to rack up nearly 20 lawsuits between them in the United States and Germany. Curiously, the arrangement doesn't include any kind of cross-licensing of each other's technology, although both companies say they'll work together in "some areas of patent reform."<br /><br />Although it's easy to picture such an agreement causing Apple CEO Steve Jobs to roll over in his grave after promising "thermonuclear war" against Android prior to his death, the deal could pave the way for a cooling of hostilities between mobile platforms.<br /><br />Almost right on cue, <a href="http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/tech/2014/05/133_157454.html" target="_blank">The Korea Times today reported</a> Apple and Samsung Electronics could be on the verge of their own settlement, as talks are again underway outside of court in an effort to "dismiss all lawsuits," according to one unnamed source.<br /><br />The same source claims Apple's most recent modest courtroom victory against Samsung could have set the stage for such discussions, although there's unlikely to be an easy fix.<br /><br />"Some more time will be needed to fix terms of details such as royalty payments in return for using patents owned by each before reaching a full agreement," the source elaborated.<br /><br /><em>Follow this article’s author, <a href="http://www.twitter.com/JRBTempe" target="_blank">J.R. Bookwalter on Twitter</a></em></p><p>&nbsp;</p>http://www.maclife.com/article/news/apple_google_end_patent_battle_potential_detente_samsung_next#commentsNewsApple Inc.Apple v. SamsungApple vs. GoogleGooglelawsuitspatent warsPatentsSamsungsettlementssmartphonesiPhoneMon, 19 May 2014 13:13:36 +0000J.R. Bookwalter19982 at http://www.maclife.comLatest Apple v. Samsung Patent Battle Ends with $119.6M Whimperhttp://www.maclife.com/article/news/latest_apple_v_samsung_patent_battle_ends_1196m_whimper
<!--paging_filter--><p><img src="/files/u220903/apple_v_samsung_reading_verdict_620px.png" alt="Apple v. Samsung verdict" width="620" height="300" /></p><p>The verdict is in, and there's no dancing in the streets of Cupertino, as a Samsung attorney last week told a jury there would be if they awarded Apple even $100 million in the latest courtroom fracas, which turned out to be pretty close to the end verdict.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.cnet.com/news/apple-samsung-verdict/" target="_blank">CNET reported Friday</a> that the latest Apple v. Samsung courtroom drama over patent infringement ended not with a bang, but a whimper from both sides as an eight-person jury delivered a decidedly "mixed verdict" unlikely to stop the Korean smartphone giant from mimicking Cupertino in the future.<br /><br />Although the jury did find Samsung guilty of patent infringement against Apple on the '647 "quick links" patent, the more lucrative '721 "slide to unlock" patent ultimately only applied to older devices such as the Galaxy Nexus. A pretrial judgment also added the '172 "automatic word correction" patent to Samsung's misdeeds.<br /><br />Unfortunately for Apple, the damages wound up being a far cry from the $2.2 billion the iPhone maker was hoping for, with the $119.6 million award against Samsung ultimately being little more than a slap on the wrist to the Korean consumer electronics company.<br /><br />"Today's ruling reinforces what courts around the world have already found: That Samsung willfully stole our ideas and copied our products," an Apple spokesperson said in a statement Friday night. "We are fighting to defend the hard work that goes into beloved products like the iPhone, which our employees devote their lives to designing and delivering for our customers."<br /><br />Samsung was also awarded what amounts to pocket change for the Galaxy maker, with a mere $158,400 in damages over a '448 patent on photo and video folder organization; the company had sought $6.2 million in damages from Apple.<br /><br />And it's not over yet: Attorneys for Apple have called out a potential error by the jury, which awarded no damages on the '172 patent for one infringing product, the Samsung Galaxy SII. That mistake will bring the jury back to work Monday, but it's unlikely to boost Cupertino's awarded damages by much.<br /><br /><em>Follow this article’s author, <a href="http://twitter.com/JRBTempe" target="_blank">J.R. Bookwalter on Twitter</a><br /><br />(Image courtesy of CNET)</em></p><p>&nbsp;</p>http://www.maclife.com/article/news/latest_apple_v_samsung_patent_battle_ends_1196m_whimper#commentsNewsApple Inc.apple patentsApple v. Samsungcourtroom dramaGalaxy NexusPatentsSamsungslide to unlocksmartphonesiPadiPhoneMon, 05 May 2014 13:12:44 +0000J.R. Bookwalter19896 at http://www.maclife.comGoogle Steps Out of Shadows in Latest Apple v. Samsung Patent Suithttp://www.maclife.com/article/news/google_steps_out_shadows_latest_apple_v_samsung_patent_suit
<!--paging_filter--><p><img src="/files/u220903/samsung_android_peeking_620px.png" alt="Samsung Android peeking" width="620" height="300" /></p><p>The latest courtroom battle between Apple and Samsung took an interesting turn this week as an attorney for Android maker Google finally took the stand to confirm the search giant is lending its biggest original equipment manufacturer a helping hand.<br /><br /><a href="http://recode.net/2014/04/22/google-agreed-to-pick-up-at-least-some-of-samsungs-legal-defense-in-apple-case/" target="_blank">Re/code reported Tuesday</a> that Samsung may not be entirely on the hook if the Korean manufacturer should lose its latest courtroom tussle with Apple, thanks to Google picking up at least some of the liability.<br /><br />According to testimony from Google lawyer James Maccoun, the Android maker "agreed to provide partial or full indemnity" for Samsung and even take over defending four patents which Apple claims were effectively stolen. Two of those patents were tossed out prior to trial, while the remaining '414 and '959 patents cover background synchronization and universal search.<br /><br />Samsung and Google declined to comment more specifically on exactly what legal tab the latter might pick up, but Apple is seeking as much as $2 billion in damages against the Korean smartphone giant for the latest infringement claims.<br /><br />Curiously, some of the features being targeted by Apple were actually created by Google, but patent laws allow companies to go after the product that uses such infringing code — and as the report noted, Samsung financially benefits from the Android platform, while Google essentially gives it away.<br /><br />Samsung also appears to have been caught in a bald-faced lie: After claiming in September 2012 the company was not "seeking indemnification from any party," Apple presented Google and Samsung emails dated between May and December, which clearly indicated the search giant was willing to help finance Samsung's legal defense.<br /><br /><em>Follow this article’s author, <a href="http://twitter.com/JRBTempe" target="_blank">J.R. Bookwalter on Twitter</a><br /><br />(Images courtesy of AndroidGuys.com and Gadgets.NDTV.com)</em></p><p>&nbsp;</p>http://www.maclife.com/article/news/google_steps_out_shadows_latest_apple_v_samsung_patent_suit#commentsNewsApple Inc.apple patentsApple v. Samsungcourtroom dramaGooglelawyerspatent infringementPatentsSamsungtestimonyiPadiPhoneWed, 23 Apr 2014 12:59:55 +0000J.R. Bookwalter19806 at http://www.maclife.comWeekend Recap: T-Mobile Aio Victory, Infuse 2.2, Verizon Trade-In, HTC Settleshttp://www.maclife.com/article/news/weekend_recap_tmobile_aio_victory_infuse_22_verizon_tradein_htc_settles
<!--paging_filter--><p><img src="/files/u220903/why_choose_aio_620px.png" alt="Why choose Aio?" width="620" height="300" /></p><p>It was quite a big weekend for smartphone makers and their carriers in the courtroom, with two such tales making headlines in our weekend recap this time around. Thankfully, at least one of them is a happy ending for two hardware manufacturers who were going after each other's throats over patents -- a turn of events that we'd sure like to see more of down the road.</p><h3>T-Mobile Wins Court Order Against AT&amp;T's Aio Wireless</h3><p>What is the color of victory? Apparently that would be magenta, as <a href="http://newsroom.t-mobile.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=251624&amp;p=irol-newsArticle&amp;ID=1898241&amp;highlight=" target="_blank">a federal court in Texas has slapped AT&amp;T on the wrist</a> for infringing on T-Mobile's "distinctive magenta trademark" for its prepaid subsidiary, Aio Wireless. "The court agreed with us that Aio can't continue infringing T-Mobile's magenta mark by using large blocks of what it has called 'plum,' and told Aio to stop using magenta or similar colors in all of its marketing and advertising, including stores, web sites and social media," the press release explains. The verdict was handed down after a relatively swift three-day hearing, which seems likely to force AT&amp;T to come up with a whole other color scheme for Aio -- assuming they don't just fold up the subsidiary completely, as has been rumored in recent weeks.</p><h3>FireCore Releases Infuse 2.2, Adds Network Share Downloading</h3><p><a href="http://blog.firecore.com/11787" target="_blank">FireCore kicked off the weekend with the release of Infuse 2.2 on Friday</a>, a significant update that finally allows movie and TV lovers to download their content from network shares and take it with them on any iPhone, iPad or iPod touch where the app is installed -- even playing it when offline. Infuse also now delivers a more eye-pleasing library view for remote files as well as a list view for those less caught up in eye candy. Infuse 2.2 also added an option to disable metadata fetching for home movies, a new volume boost setting and a whole lot of improvements around streaming speed and reliability, network device detection and overall stability. The app is available free from the App Store, with an in-app purchase option available for playback of more file formats.</p><h3>Verizon Launches Limited Time Smartphone Trade-In Program</h3><p>Verizon Wireless may not be willing to compete with rivals AT&amp;T, T-Mobile and Sprint on price, but they're certainly not afraid to test the waters by ditching activation fees for customers who want to trade-in their old smartphones -- but only for a limited time. Between now and March 31, the <a href="https://www.trade-in.vzw.com/home.php5?c=en-us" target="_blank">Verizon Device Recycling Program</a> will make it easier to ditch that old handset for something new, with a gift card of at least $100 ($300 maximum) in addition to free activation (a $35 value) for new, two-year activations. The website specifically mentions iPhone 4 through the current iPhone 5c and iPhone 5s models, assuming you've deactivated Find my iPhone first, of course.</p><h3>HTC Signs Patent Agreement with Nokia, Ending Litigation</h3><p><a href="http://press.nokia.com/2014/02/07/nokia-and-htc-signed-a-patent-and-technology-collaboration-agreement/" target="_blank">Nokia announced Friday</a> that its ongoing patent disputes with HTC have finally been resolved thanks to a settlement between the two handset makers, who have "entered into a patent and technology collaboration agreement." As part of the deal, HTC will fork over payments to Nokia, who will also have access to the former's LTE patent portfolio. Probably not so coincidentally, <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/10/us-htc-strategy-idUSBREA180XG20140210" target="_blank">Reuters reported Monday </a>that HTC will attempt to reverse course on its plummeting sales by introducing "mid-tier" smartphones in the $150 to $300 range in addition to the flagship handsets like the HTC One, which cost upwards of $600. "The two cylinders are going to be fired together," HTC Chief Financial Officer Chialin Chang commented.</p><h3>Edovia Releases Improved Screens Connect 3.0 for Windows</h3><p>Users of Edovia's Screens for iOS or Mac who frequently need to connect to Windows PCs will finally be able to do it as easily as they can from OS X now that the company has released <a href="http://blog.edovia.com/2014/01/30/screens-connect-3-0-for-windows-now-available/" target="_blank">Screens Connect 3.0 for Windows</a>. This free software allows any Windows PC to have its VNC capabilities broadcast to Screens clients over Bonjour, and includes one-click installation for the required TightVNC server for users who don't already have one installed. After installation, the Windows PC will magically appear in the list of Nearby and Remote Computers and can be added to Screens with a mere tap or click. Be sure to update to the latest 3.0.4 version after installing, the earlier versions had problems with Bonjour that have since been squashed.<br /><br /><em>Follow this article’s author, <a href="http://twitter.com/JRBTempe" target="_blank">J.R. Bookwalter on Twitter</a></em></p><p>&nbsp;</p>http://www.maclife.com/article/news/weekend_recap_tmobile_aio_victory_infuse_22_verizon_tradein_htc_settles#commentsNewsAio WirelessAT&TEdoviahtcInfuse 2nokiaPatentssmartphonesT-Mobiletrade-insVerizon Wirelessweekend recapiPadiPhoneiPodMacMon, 10 Feb 2014 13:43:28 +0000J.R. Bookwalter19282 at http://www.maclife.comGoogle Unloads Motorola at a Loss to Lenovohttp://www.maclife.com/article/news/google_unloads_motorola_loss_lenovo
<!--paging_filter--><p><img src="/files/u220903/motorola_moto_g_620px.png" alt="Motorola Moto G" width="620" height="300" /></p><p>The once-mighty Motorola Mobility is looking a lot more like a redheaded stepchild these days, now that Google has unloaded their acquisition after only a couple of years to China's Lenovo.<br /><a href="http://investor.google.com/releases/2014/0129.html" target="_blank"><br />Google Investor Relations announced Wednesday</a> that the Android maker is packing Motorola Mobility's bags and sending the division into the loving arms of Lenovo, one of China's strongest PC brands.<br /><br />The deal makes absolute sense for Lenovo, who has recently flirted with an acquisition of BlackBerry as a means to speed up its own global smartphone ambitions -- but the picture isn't quite as rosy for Google.<br /><br />Motorola is fetching a mere $2.91 billion from Lenovo, with only $1.41 billion of that amount paid when the sale closes as a combination of cash and shares, with the remaining $1.5 billion to be paid sometime during the next three years.<br /><br />That pales in comparison to the $12.5 billion Google paid for Motorola Mobility when the deal was first announced in August, 2011, but as many pundits predicted at the time, that acquisition seems to have been made more for patents than Moto's hardware-making skills.<br /><br />"Google will maintain ownership of the vast majority of the Motorola Mobility patent portfolio, including current patent applications and invention disclosures," the press release explains. "As part of its ongoing relationship with Google, Lenovo will receive a license to this rich portfolio of patents and other intellectual property. Additionally Lenovo will receive over 2,000 patent assets, as well as the Motorola Mobility brand and trademark portfolio."<br /><br />Google claims Motorola Mobility is the number three smartphone maker in the U.S., presumably after Samsung and Apple. The search giant's dumping of Motorola comes on the heels of a new patent-sharing deal with Samsung announced earlier this week and reports that the Android maker may rein in the Korean manufacturer's customizations of its mobile OS with future handsets and tablets as a result.<br /><br /><em>Follow this article’s author, <a href="http://twitter.com/JRBTempe" target="_blank">J.R. Bookwalter on Twitter</a></em></p><p>&nbsp;</p>http://www.maclife.com/article/news/google_unloads_motorola_loss_lenovo#commentsNewsacquisitionsandroidChinafire saleGoogleLenovoManufacturingMotorola MobilityPatentssalessmartphonesiPhoneThu, 30 Jan 2014 14:11:58 +0000J.R. Bookwalter19192 at http://www.maclife.comWeekend Recap: T-Mobile Referrals, Koingo Changes, Qualcomm Patent Buyhttp://www.maclife.com/article/news/weekend_recap_tmobile_referrals_koingo_changes_qualcomm_patent_buy
<!--paging_filter--><p><img src="/files/u220903/t-mobile_refer-a-friend_620px.png" alt="T-Mobile Refer-a-Friend" width="620" height="300" /></p><p>Apple watchers are waiting anxiously for the company's quarterly earnings report Monday, especially because it covers the 2013 holiday season this time around. If you're restless clocking time until the big event today, kick back for a few minutes and soak in all of the weekend's news you might have missed -- and hey, if you're a T-Mobile subscriber, there might just be some dough in it for you...</p><h3>T-Mobile Will Now Pay $25 Per Head for Bringing Friends</h3><p>They say everything is better with friends, so why shouldn't that also apply to your wireless carrier? T-Mobile US has launched yet another new initiative to bait new customers, offering subscribers up to $250 for bringing their friends into the fold as part of a new <a href="https://referral.t-mobile.com/Home/A" target="_blank">Refer-a-Friend </a>program. "Tell your friends now so that they can experience wireless the way it should be," the company pitches on their website, paying out $25 per person to spend at T-Mobile, with a maximum of 10 friends per year. And hey, it doesn't hurt that T-Mo is now paying those early termination fees from rival carriers, so no better time than the present to cash in...</p><h3>Mac Software Publisher Koingo Streamlines Product Line</h3><p>In an email to customers over the weekend, Mac software maker <a href="http://www.koingosw.com" target="_blank">Koingo</a> announced plans to prune its product line to focus strictly on flagship titles MacPilot, MacCleanse and Data Guardian. To accomplish this goal, Koingo lead developer Josh Hoggan will retire and ex-Apple employee Thomas Anthony will now step into his CEO shoes. Beginning March 30, 2014, Koingo's other software products will be sold to a new, as-yet unnamed owner, but the developer promises to keep supporting those apps for up to five years should a deal not come to fruition. The biggest change comes with how Koingo will license its software: While existing licenses will be honored, moving forward the company will offer "more affordable" subscriptions or lifetime licenses for all purchases, ending support for legacy Mac operating systems earlier than 10.7 Lion.</p><h3>Qualcomm Scoops Up HP-Owned Palm Patents</h3><p><a href="http://www.theverge.com/2014/1/23/5339164/qualcomm-buys-hps-palm-patents" target="_blank">The Verge reported Thursday</a> that a portfolio of 2,400 patents from the ashes of Palm, iPAQ and Bitfone now belong to processor maker Qualcomm -- one of the first companies to develop a PalmOS smartphone way back in 1999. While former owner HP appears happy to have cashed in on the 1,400 U.S.-based and 1,000 international patents, a spokesman claims the company "will retain a license to these patents," which includes those covering webOS. "This does not change our strategy with respect to mobile," the spokesman elaborated, apparently in reference to the HP's new Android-based "phablet" device, which launched overseas earlier this month.</p><h3>Avatron Wraps Up Kickstarter Campaign for New File Sharing Solution</h3><p>Air Display and Air Sharing app developer <a href="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/avatron/everydisk-easily-access-all-your-computers-from-an" target="_blank">Avatron recently launched a Kickstarter campaign</a> for a new remote file sharing app called Everydisk, which successfully landed funding over the weekend. The company managed to take in $1,309 more than their $50,000 goal from 655 backers with 81 minutes to spare, allowing Avatron to make the Mac and PC software necessary for direct connection between computers and mobile devices -- all privately and with no cloud service in between. The software utilizes a service called Air Connect, which creates an AES-encrypted data channel between computers, offering direct access to "any of the drives, servers, printers or other network resources available to it." No word on how soon we might see the end results, but the Avatron team promises to get to work wrapping up the project right away.</p><h3>TrackX Brings Academy Award-Winning Motion Tracking to FCPX</h3><p>If your next video production requires motion tracking for text or graphics, look no further than <a href="http://www.coremelt.com/products/trackx-powered-by-mocha.html" target="_blank">TrackX</a>, a new Final Cut Pro X-based solution which promises to allow editors to "insert floating lower thirds tracked to people, replace screens or signs, all with one step and no need to use another compositing package." Available from CoreMelt for a mere $99, the Mocha plugin is available now with a 14-day free trial and can be purchased in a bundle with the company's SliceX shape tracking tool for $149, while previous owners of that software can nab TrackX as a $49 upgrade.<br /><br /><em>Follow this article’s author, <a href="http://twitter.com/JRBTempe" target="_blank">J.R. Bookwalter on Twitter</a></em></p>http://www.maclife.com/article/news/weekend_recap_tmobile_referrals_koingo_changes_qualcomm_patent_buy#commentsNewsAvatron SoftwareCEOfriendsHPkickstarterKoingo SoftwarePalmPatentsQualcommreferralsT-Mobileweekend recapiPhoneMacMon, 27 Jan 2014 13:39:34 +0000J.R. Bookwalter19154 at http://www.maclife.comDyson Lawsuit Claims Samsung Rips Off Vacuum Cleaner Patents, Toohttp://www.maclife.com/article/news/dyson_lawsuit_claims_samsung_rips_vacuum_cleaner_patents_too
<!--paging_filter--><p><img src="/files/u220903/samsung_motion_sync_620px.png" alt="Samsung Motion Sync" width="620" height="300" /></p><p>South Korean consumer electronics giant Samsung is quickly gaining an unwelcome reputation as a copycat when it comes to industrial design of its smartphone and tablet products, but apparently that now extends to its vacuum cleaners as well.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.theverge.com/2013/9/10/4714578/dyson-accuses-samsung-of-sucking-up-vacuum-design-in-patent-suit" target="_blank">The Verge reported Tuesday</a> that vacuum maker Dyson has filed a lawsuit accusing Samsung of ripping off the patented steering system used in its popular household products for their own Motion Sync cleaner which debuted at the IFA trade show this week.<br /><br />"This looks like a cynical rip-off," remarked Sir James Dyson, founder of the company known for its innovative vacuum cleaner products. "Samsung has many patent lawyers, so I find it hard not to believe that this is a deliberate or utterly reckless infringement of our patent."<br /><br /><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-24023430" target="_blank">According to a report from the BBC</a>, Dyson certainly isn't afraid to engage in patent battles with its rivals, including Hoover, Vax and Bosch. But the company also squared off with Samsung once before, in 2009 over its "triple-cyclone" suction technology, which resulted in a judgment against the Korean manufacturer to the tune of nearly a million dollars.<br /><br />The latest legal spat is over a steering mechanism Dyson filed a patent for around the same time as its earlier dispute with Samsung, which details "a way to allow the device to rapidly spin quickly from one direction to another on the spot, and to follow the user's path rather than just being dragged behind, in order to prevent the vacuum getting snagged on corners."<br /><br />For its part, Samsung calls its new Motion Sync a "revolutionary" design that "makes swift motion for sudden turns much easier," while offering no comment on Dyson's accusations.<br /><br /><em>Follow this article’s author, <a href="http://twitter.com/JRBTempe" target="_blank">J.R. Bookwalter on Twitter</a></em></p><p>&nbsp;</p>http://www.maclife.com/article/news/dyson_lawsuit_claims_samsung_rips_vacuum_cleaner_patents_too#commentsNewsDysonIFAlawsuitsMotion Syncpatent infringementpatent warsPatentsSamsungSouth Koreavacuum cleanersTue, 10 Sep 2013 13:14:58 +0000J.R. Bookwalter17998 at http://www.maclife.comPatent Filing from 2012 Suggests iPhone 5S May Support Fingerprint Paymentshttp://www.maclife.com/article/news/patent_filing_2012_suggests_iphone_5s_may_support_fingerprint_payments
<!--paging_filter--><p><img src="/files/u334114/2013/09/fingerprint.jpg" width="250" height="277" class="graphic-right" />Judging from a patent filing recently discovered by <a href="http://9to5mac.com/2013/09/09/will-iphone-5s-act-as-an-electronic-wallet-combined-fingerprintnfc-patent-suggests-that-it-might/" target="_blank">AppleInsider</a>, it looks as though the rumors that the iPhone 5S's fingerprint sensor could support payment options might be true after all. Originally analysts believed that the fingerprint-payment feature was a little too advanced for the upcoming release, but AppleInsider's research shows that Apple had such an idea in mind all the way back in March of 2012.</p><p>The patent may also partially confirm another rumor: the design for the fingerprint sensor in the filing looks remarkably like what's on the <a href="http://www.maclife.com/article/news/blurry_photos_allegedly_show_iphone_5s_new_home_button_possible_scanner" target="_blank">allegedly leaked boxes</a> for the iPhone 5S that we saw last week. As described in the filing, the design supports "contactless" payment options, or rather a procedure that lets you pay for items by simply holding your device (or wallet) close to a sensor on a register. Contactless payment is apparently a popular choice overseas, but the security risks involved have discouraged widespread adoption over on this side of the pond.</p><p>The iPhone 5S could change all that with its rumored fingerprint sensor. Indeed, if the security provided by the fingerprint sensor works well enough, it may even be enough to do away with the usual restriction of 30 or so dollars on current contactless payments. If true, it could also means that tomorrow's reveal will warrant significantly more attention than all the leaks we've seen so far have suggested.</p><p><img src="/files/u334114/2013/09/buttons_0.jpg" width="620" height="412" /></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><strong><span style="line-height: 19px;">Source:&nbsp;</span><a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #0099cc; text-decoration: none; line-height: 19px;" href="http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A//www.ctechcn.com/iphone5s-case-leak/&amp;hl=en&amp;langpair=auto%7Cen&amp;tbb=1&amp;ie=UTF-8" target="_blank">C Technology</a><span style="line-height: 19px;">/</span><a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #0099cc; text-decoration: none; line-height: 19px;" href="http://9to5mac.com/2013/09/06/sketchy-photos-claim-to-show-iphone-5s-box-with-tweaked-home-button-as-fingerprint-sensor-speculation-increases/" target="_blank">9to5 Mac</a></strong></span></p><p>Here's some of the wording in the actual patent filing: "An electronic device may have electrical components such as sensors. A sensor may have sensor circuitry that gathers sensor data using a conductive structure. The sensor may be a touch sensor that uses the conductive structure to form a capacitive touch sensor electrode or may be a fingerprint sensor that uses the conductive structure with a fingerprint electrode array to handle fingerprint sensor signals. Near field communications circuitry may be included in an electronic device. When operated in a sensor mode, the sensor circuitry may use the conductive structure to gather a fingerprint or other sensor data. When operated in near field communications mode, the near field communications circuitry can use the conductive structure to transmit and receive capacitively coupled or inductively coupled near field communications signals. A fingerprint sensor may have optical structures that communicate with external equipment."</p><p><em> Follow this article's writer, <a href="https://twitter.com/LeifJohnson" target="_blank">Leif Johnson</a>, on Twitter.</em></p>http://www.maclife.com/article/news/patent_filing_2012_suggests_iphone_5s_may_support_fingerprint_payments#commentsNewsFingerprint Detectionfingerprint sensoriOSiphonePatentsRumorsMon, 09 Sep 2013 18:35:02 +0000Leif Johnson17991 at http://www.maclife.comSamsung Loses $1 Billion in Market Value After Presidential Veto; Files Appealhttp://www.maclife.com/article/news/samsung_loses_1_billion_market_value_after_presidential_veto_files_appeal
<!--paging_filter--><p>Samsung suffered a massive blow in its long war against frenemy Apple this weekend when President Obama vetoed the ITC's decision to ban imports of the iPhone 4, the iPhone 3G, and the iPad 2 into the USA. As reported by the <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324653004578648952344694088.html" target="_blank">Wall Street Journal</a> (via <a href="http://9to5mac.com/2013/08/05/1b-wiped-off-samsungs-value-following-presidential-veto-samsung-continues-appeals/" target="_blank">9to5Mac)</a>, the veto sliced a full 1 billion dollars off of Samsung's market value, representing a 0.9 percent loss.</p><p>Oddly enough, this is the first time a U.S. president has vetoed an ITC ban since 1987, when President Reagan exercised the power in a case involving (yes) Samsung, according to <a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-08-02/apple-seeks-obama-reprieve-on-iphone-import-ban.html" target="_blank">Bloomberg</a>. <a href="http://api.viglink.com/api/click?format=go&amp;key=c6684b5502fa2a415a104d824988c196&amp;loc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macrumors.com%2F2013%2F08%2F05%2Fsamsung-loses-1-billion-in-market-value-after-u-s-veto-on-apple-ban-files-appeal-against-patent-ruling%2F&amp;v=1&amp;libId=e00f5104-1de4-4527-b043-ac1488441c45&amp;out=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ft.com%2Fintl%2Fcms%2Fs%2F0%2F288ab0ea-fda2-11e2-a5b1-00144feabdc0.html%23axzz2b5LccEpJ&amp;title=Samsung%20Loses%20%241%20Billion%20in%20Market%20Value%20After%20U.S.%20Veto%20on%20Apple%20Ban%2C%20Files%20Appeal%20Against%20Patent%20Ruling%20-%20Mac%20Rumors&amp;txt=reported&amp;jsonp=vglnk_jsonp_13757379603966" target="_blank">The Financial Times</a> has since reported that Samsung is appealing the decision to the ITC (International Trade Commission), even though the President's veto overrides any decision by the organization.</p><p><img src="/files/u334114/2013/08/samsung-logo.jpg" width="620" height="206" /></p><p>There's a somewhat legitimate reason for that. In the Financial Times' words, "Samsung revealed on Monday that it had filed a court appeal on July 18 against the original ITC finding, because the ITC ruled that Apple had infringed only one patent, rather than finding in favour of Samsung on all four patents it had claimed were violated."</p><p>Bloomberg added that the appeal was filed at the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Washington according to a spokesman, followed by an announcement that a oral hearing was scheduled for the first quarter of next year. But as 9to5Mac points out, either way, this is a victory for Apple. Even if something transpires after the hearing, the impact will be significantly less devastating because new models of the devices will have already been released by then.</p><p>As <a href="http://www.macrumors.com/2013/08/05/samsung-loses-1-billion-in-market-value-after-u-s-veto-on-apple-ban-files-appeal-against-patent-ruling/" target="_blank">MacRumors</a> reports, Apple won the first victory in the struggle against Samsung, when a judge awarded Apple $1 billion last year after a patent suit. In March, however, a judge halved that amount. <a href="http://www.maclife.com/article/columns/law_apple_possible_samsung_settlement_horizon" target="_blank">As you might recall,</a> Apple is currently involved in a suit alleging that Samsung stole some of its own patents.</p><p><em> Follow this article's writer, <a href="https://twitter.com/LeifJohnson" target="_blank">Leif Johnson</a>, on Twitter.</em></p>http://www.maclife.com/article/news/samsung_loses_1_billion_market_value_after_presidential_veto_files_appeal#commentsNewsappealapplepatent warsPatentsPresident ObamaSamsungvetoMon, 05 Aug 2013 21:33:13 +0000Leif Johnson17705 at http://www.maclife.comWith iOS 7, Apple Plans Greater Integration Between iPhones and Carshttp://www.maclife.com/article/news/ios_7_apple_plans_greater_integration_between_iphones_and_cars
<!--paging_filter--><p>Fresh on the heels of yesterday's news that iOS 7 will feature a "flatter" UI, <a href="http://9to5mac.com/2013/04/30/in-ios-7-apple-wants-to-own-your-cars-console-with-maps-and-siri-integration/" target="_blank">9to5Mac reports </a>that Apple now wants to get into your car's dashboard. Specifically, Apple is reportedly working with automobile manufacturers to include iPhone docking stations in new cars, thus allowing Apple Maps and Siri to be used through the exisiting console screens instead of the the current built-in GPS systems.</p><p>That's good news for those of us who like the pleasing aesthetic of Apple Maps, but it's somewhat disheartening for those of us who've been burned by Apple Maps' infamously poor directions in the past. (On a personal note--to date, Apple Maps still says a nearby Wendy's is four blocks north of where it actually is, even after attempts at correction.) Bringing Apple Maps up to par with Google Maps would go a long way toward facilitating manufacturers' acceptance of the proposal.</p><p>According to 9to5Mac, "Sources have described this as a feature akin to a video-out or mirrored display representation of the iPhone’s Maps app onto the bigger screens included with most modern vehicles. This is unlike the new Volkswagen iBeetle car that simply holds an iPhone running a third-party app." As <a href="http://www.gottabemobile.com/2013/04/30/ios-7-apple-plans-to-replace-your-navigation-system-in-cars-with-siri-apple-maps/" target="_blank">GottaBeMobile reports</a>, this plan seems to resemble Nokia's efforts to translate the interface of their Symbian smartphones to the larger screens commonly used in car consoles with their MirrorLink technology.</p><p><img src="/files/u334114/2013/04/bmw.jpg" width="620" height="465" /><br /><em>Photo via 9to5Mac.</em></p><p>Apple plans for users to control the Apple Maps interface through Siri, although Siri, too, is known for its unreliability. Accuracy isn't the only hurdle, though; such an ambitious project would also require extensive integration of Siri into the car itself. Last year's "Eyes Free" Siri service was the first major step in this direction, as it allowed drivers to interact with Siri through their cars and with the iPhone's display turned off. During the last WWDC, Apple announced that it was working with working with manufacturers such as BMW, Toyota, Audi, Honda, and Land Rover, and it's likely that Apple's working with these same companies to develop this ambitious new project.</p><p>The technology involved is based on iOS 7, but it may be awhile yet before we're able to use it. Further deals need to be made, more tests need to be completed, and, well, Siri and Apple Maps need to improve. Still, the extra wait might be worth it. <a href="http://9to5mac.com/2013/04/25/your-iphone-could-replace-your-cars-key-and-help-you-find-it-in-an-underground-car-park/" target="_blank">9to5Mac also reports </a>that recent patents filed by Apple point suggest the new software will also allow you to unlock your cars remotely and find them in crowded parking lots, extending Apple's plan to merge car and phone far beyond mere GPS convenience.</p><p><em>Swap some Apple Maps mishaps with this article's author, <a href="https://twitter.com/LeifJohnson" target="_blank">Leif Johnson</a>, on Twitter.</em></p>http://www.maclife.com/article/news/ios_7_apple_plans_greater_integration_between_iphones_and_cars#commentsNewsCarsiOS 7iphonePatentsSiriiPhoneTue, 30 Apr 2013 23:14:36 +0000Leif Johnson16887 at http://www.maclife.comReport: Motorola Has Brought Google "Nothing But Heartbreak" So Farhttp://www.maclife.com/article/news/report_motorola_has_brought_google_nothing_heartbreak_so_far
<!--paging_filter--><p><img src="/files/u220903/motorola_logo_200px.png" alt="Motorola logo" width="200" height="150" class="graphic-right" />Google's acquisition of Motorola Mobility certainly got the attention of the tech world last year, but a new report claims the $12.4 billion purchase may be giving the search giant nothing but trouble.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-04-29/motorola-buy-delivers-google-more-heartbreak-than-help.html" target="_blank">Bloomberg reported Monday</a> that Google may now be experiencing buyer's remorse over last year's purchase of Motorola Mobility, the hardware company it purchased last year in a $12.4 billion deal.<br /><br />With more than 17,000 patents to its name, the Motorola buy was widely viewed as a way for Google to fight back against disputes aimed at its mobile Android platform. Instead, the search giant has found itself on the losing end of numerous patent battles that have yet to bear any financial fruit.<br /><br />According to regulatory filings, Motorola's purchase price included $5.5 billion for "patents and developed technology," an investment that has yet to pay off for Google.<br /><br />“It wasn’t an irrational decision at the time but they’ve gotten nothing but heartbreak for that money,” remarked patent attorney Rodney Sweetland. “Should they have bought? Not at that price.”<br /><br />The acquisition also has yet to produce anything significant in terms of hardware, as Google works through Motorola's existing road map of Android handsets -- most of which have been met with far less lust than the latest smartphones from partners Samsung and HTC.<br /><br />“Motorola has a great set of assets,” Google Chief Financial Officer Patrick Pichette said in February. “It had a pipeline of products that were fine, but not really to the standards that Google would say is wow, innovative, transformative. So you invest for the long term.”<br /><br /><em>Follow this article’s author, <a href="http://twitter.com/JRBTempe" target="_blank">J.R. Bookwalter on Twitter</a></em></p><p>&nbsp;</p>http://www.maclife.com/article/news/report_motorola_has_brought_google_nothing_heartbreak_so_far#commentsNewsacquisitionsandroidGoogleheartbreakmobileMotorolaMotorola MobilityPatentsportfoliossmartphonesiPhoneTue, 30 Apr 2013 13:45:10 +0000J.R. Bookwalter16881 at http://www.maclife.comSamsung Chairman's "Sense of Crisis" Could Point to Changes Aheadhttp://www.maclife.com/article/news/samsung_chairmans_sense_crisis_could_point_changes_ahead
<!--paging_filter--><p><img src="/files/u220903/samsung_on_window_200px.png" alt="Samsung on window" width="200" height="150" class="graphic-right" />Samsung Electronics may be flying high with US$7.7 billion in profits for the first three months of the year, but all that money may be making the company's chairman a little nervous, if history is any indication.<br /><br /><a href="http://appleinsider.com/articles/13/04/08/sense-of-crisis-at-samsung-could-affect-patent-disputes-with-apple" target="_blank">AppleInsider reported Monday</a> that Samsung Electronics could be on the verge of yet another shakeup, despite record profits and a seemingly unstoppable track record with its Android smartphones worldwide.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/tech/2013/04/133_133467.html" target="_blank">According to <em>The Korea Times</em></a>, Samsung Chairman Lee Kun-hee recently returned from a three-month trip to Hawaii and Japan, which the news outlet claims is a sign that changes could be soon coming to the consumer electronics firm. Lee has taken 20 such trips since 1993, which frequently resulted in shakeups at the company soon after.<br /><br />The report notes that Samsung may be looking at ways to "cut reliance on its mobile business" in the wake of ongoing patent squabbles with Apple, a number of which have placed the Korean manufacturer on the losing side of the coin.<br /><br />Chairman Lee met with reporters at the airport after returning from his three-month trip, where he suggested Samsung should "always have a sense of crisis" and attempt to "run faster and always study to have insights."<br /><br />Lee is expected to meet with reporters again on Wednesday, where he could announce any changes to the way Samsung currently does business.<br /><br /><em>Follow this article’s author, <a href="http://twitter.com/JRBTempe" target="_blank">J.R. Bookwalter on Twitter</a></em></p><p>&nbsp;</p>http://www.maclife.com/article/news/samsung_chairmans_sense_crisis_could_point_changes_ahead#commentsNewsandroidApple v. SamsungchairmanchangeselectronicsPatentsquarterly profitsSamsungshakeupssmartphonesiPadiPhoneiPodMon, 08 Apr 2013 13:42:00 +0000J.R. Bookwalter16673 at http://www.maclife.com